Uttarakhand: Kedarnath Helicopter Crash Kills 7, Heli Services Suspended For Two Days

In the wake of a tragic helicopter crash near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand that killed all seven people onboard—including an infant—helicopter services on the Char Dham Yatra route have been suspended for two days. The chopper, operated by Aryan Aviation, was ferrying pilgrims from Kedarnath to Guptkashi when it crashed in a remote forested area near Gaurimai Khark early Sunday morning.

Among the victims were pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, including entire families.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered the suspension citing bad weather and passenger safety concerns. "Helicopter services will remain suspended for the next two days. The safety of pilgrims is our utmost priority," he said following an emergency meeting with top officials.

The crash occurred at around 5:30 a.m. in the Rudraprayag district, about 350 km from Lucknow. Initial reports from the District Disaster Management Office suggest that poor weather conditions may have caused the crash. “The site of the crash is extremely remote, and all onboard have perished,” confirmed Nandan Singh Rajwar, the District Disaster Management Officer.

Eyewitnesses, including local Nepalese-origin women who were cutting grass nearby, saw the helicopter spiraling down before it burst into flames. The wreckage was found charred, with the bodies badly burned.

The flight, usually a short 10-minute journey between Kedarnath and Guptkashi, went down just minutes after take-off, somewhere between Gaurikund and Sonprayag. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) trekked through rugged mountainous terrain to recover the remains.

This tragedy is the latest in a string of helicopter mishaps in the Kedarnath region. On June 7, another helicopter made an emergency landing on the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund highway due to technical issues shortly after takeoff. The pilot was injured, though passengers escaped harm. Earlier, on May 8, a crash in Uttarkashi claimed six lives, including the pilot.

At Sunday’s high-level review meeting, CM Dhami instructed officials to draft a strict Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for heli-operations, ensure DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) compliance, and establish a control and command centre for better monitoring. "There should be no laxity in safety protocols, and only experienced pilots should be deployed in the high-altitude Himalayan zones," he emphasized.

Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Civil Aviation Secretary Sachin Kurve, Disaster Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, UCADA, and DGCA officials participated in the virtual meeting.

The Kedarnath route, part of the sacred Char Dham Yatra, draws thousands of devotees each season. Many opt for helicopter services to navigate the steep and difficult terrain. With the latest crash casting a shadow over these operations, the state is under increasing pressure to enhance safety and regulatory oversight.